Geaux Gators?

I had a long day today. I was up early so I could leave at 7 am to go to Lake Charles for court with my boss. I was able to focus on the arguments for the morning session, partly because I was more familiar with the cases,but after lunch I kinda zoned out. We were in Lake Charles until about 3:30 pm, which is a long day. On the way back we tried to notice things on the road that we had never noticed before, but there wasn't much except a couple of Korean churches near Leesville.

When I got back I had to go buy Rob's birthday present and a cake and some beer. I headed over to Rob and Crystal's for dinner, and we watched the first half of the Florida-Oklahoma game. Boy (my younger brother) gave me permission to cheer for Florida, the SEC school. Still, the game is not nearly exciting as last year's game. I'll try and stay awake until the end though.

I reconnected via Facebook with a friend from Italy, Federico. He was a nice guy, but like me a little shy back then. That's pretty cool.

Traveling

I've always liked flying. I like airports and planes and the odd mix of people you see. It had been a while since I took a trip, so I was excited about flying from New Orleans to San Diego. I did notice that while traveling with Cara, I paid no attention to which gate I was going to or what time I needed to be there.

On the way to San Diego, we were delayed in Houston for 2 hours because of a leaking backup hydraulic valve (or something similar). I actually got on the plane before they decided to tell everyone to get off so they could fix it. The worst part about delays at airports is that they never tell you how long it will take. They just keeping pushing the time back 30 minutes, which doesn't allow you to actually do anything but sit and wait.

I sat next to a marine who was deploying in a couple weeks with a MEU. I had a friend who once as a naval officer on one of the ships in the group that transports MEUs, and I learned about his job as well as this marine's job as an infantryman.

On the way back, I took a nap on the first flight. On the second, I sat next to two guys from New Orleans who were returning from Las Vegas. They were loud and crude and eager to share their Vegas stories. It was entertaining. Dad picked me up from the airport with Tippe, who was happy to see me.

Home

After two weeks, I finally made it home to Many this afternoon. Sadly, the first thing I had to do when I got here was got to a funeral. Nancy Rodrigues was over 90 years old, and I am friends with a few of her children and grandchildren.

I got started with the unpacking, going through mail, and laundry, which I may finish by the weekend. I put off going to the grocery store for another day. Then I had dinner at Robert and Crystal's. Addi and I played mah jong together. She liked the noise the dragons and flowers made when they make a match.

Work tomorrow. I need to get back on a decent sleep schedule, or the rest of this week will be worse than necessary.

Back on the Grid

California, specifically Julian, CA, was not exactly internet friendly. I was too busy vacationing to post anyway. I'll try to get everything up-to-date in the next few days. For now, I'll just say I had a relaxing and fun trip, but I am anxious to be home in Many tomorrow.

Vacation Part II: I'll Fly Away

Today was not as interesting as I thought it might be. We got rained out of a trip to the zoo, so we hung out at the house, all the family came over, and we relaxed all day. A much needed rest before phase two of my vacation adventure begins.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'm off to catch a plane to San Diego to visit with Cara for a week. I have no idea what is in store this week, but I'll make my own fun if necessary. Internet access is iffy, so I'll post when I can. Otherwise, Happy New Year.

Three French Hens

A very busy three days since my last post. Christmas Eve night, instead of waiting for Santa Claus, I spent the night trying to sleep while my sister and father did their best imitations of Keith Olbermann and Sean Hannity, respectively. It all started harmlessly enough:

Dad: Good night baby. I wished you lived closer so we could see you more.
Sister: I can't move closer because y'all think everything I do is wrong.
Dad: No we don't.
Sister: George Bush is a [obscenities redacted] idiot.
Dad: Well, Barack Hussein Obama . . .
Sister: Why do you call him Hussein? You hate him.

I asked nicely if they could have the conversation somewhere other than right outside the door of the room I was sleeping in. In so many words, the answer was no. I walked the dog (not a euphemism) at 1 a.m. Christmas morning. By the time I got back the volume and location of the discussion moved, so I got some sleep.

I woke up early Christmas morning and went to Jacob's house for Christmas day dinner. We exchanged gifts with the family, and then enjoyed a bountiful feast with a houseful of relatives. After everyone else left, we played some games with Jacob's family and had a slumber party.

We woke up not so early the next morning, and Dad, Jacob and I went to a cousins house for a Couvillion Men's Meeting. We basically caught up with some of my dad's cousins and their sons, with whom I had spent time while growing up. It was a good visit and good to catch up folks I don't see often. After drinking beer all day, I was exhausted when we finally got home. I fell asleep on the recliner . . .

. . . and woke up early this morning to go play golf. I haven't played in a while, so it was not a great round. I also brought lefty clubs, which don't work for me. The wind was blowing pretty hard, which is why on one long par 5 the three of us in the group got two 11s and a 10. It was a pleasant day to be outside. Dad and I went to lunch and then Mass afterward, and it was good to spend time with him today. Tonight Mom made chicken and rice and gravy, which was excellent, as usual. I also brought my friend Carrie's children their gifts. K liked the Lincoln Logs, because he got some for his friend, but didn't get any himself.

Tomorrow promises to be another fun-filled day, perhaps the most interesting of all.

Venite Adoremus

Late night, then early morning. Despite being tired all day, I was busy. Off to Jacob's to help with some Christmas day prep and (more importantly) get some face time in with nephew JP. Then a trip to two grocery stores to pick up some supplies for the next couple of days. On the way back, I told Cara that when my friend Matt and I would go to Atlanta to visit his relatives at Christmas, there were some radio DJs who would call people, tell them how crappy their lives were, and then give them $100 and a turkey to make it better. The best part was always the recitation of all the horrible things the person had gone through with syrupy music in the background. We heard it three or four years in a row, and it became a running joke about winning a crappy prize for having the worst year ever.

We all went to Mass for the Vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ at St. Gerard in Baton Rouge. The church was full, and the Mass was well celebrated.

On the way home, we heard the DJ talking to Vicki about her friend Tina whose husband died of a heart attack at a young age. "Can we call Tina?" says the DJ. The sappy music starts playing, the DJ recounts to Tina how horrible her life has been, how Christmas for the four kids and her will be tough, and asks her how she feels. To make it better, he says, we got you a $200 gift certificate to Wal-mart. Don't get me wrong, I feel sympathy for Tina and those who have suffered misfortune. I object to the radio station making such a public display of the family's dire circumstance and making such a big show of providing such a paltry gift that does little to ease the hurt. And it so predictable once the call starts that it is funny.

Once we got back home, we had mom's gumbo and family fellowship with folks from both sides. Most importantly, my uncle (Ph.D. in Psychology from Florida State) drew a green penis on the John Deere logo on the shirt I was wearing. Of course I asked him to sign it.

Home for the Holidays

We had a pizza party at work. It was very nice to sit around and chat with everyone. We exchanged gifts, and everyone enjoyed their bounty, including me. I got my boss something of a gag gift, but she appreciated the humor in it.

I then packed up the truck and drove home in the rain. Not the most pleasant trip ever, but I did take the chance to call a couple of friends and extend holiday greetings. One of the drawbacks is that I canceled my Sirius satellite radio subscription until I get a new receiver. I had to hunt for new radio stations regularly, which I haven't done for over four years. I felt a little lost.

Once I got home, I helped finish dinner, which is a great shrimp and corn soup that my secretary gave me. I fixed it for mom and dad when they came up for Thanksgiving, and really enjoyed it and wanted to make it for Cara [the sister who lives in California--much more in the days to come about her]. It was as good with shrimp as it was when I have eaten or prepared it with crawfish.
After dinner, dad and I watched the end of the Boise St.-TCU game (the Pointsettia Bowl) and then the second half of A Christmas Carol. I'm pretty familiar with the story, having seen two stage versions (musical and not) already this year. It was interesting where the lines were similar, and where liberties were taken with the story. And Patton as Scrooge seemed oddly appropriate.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The good news: I had a productive day at work today, finishing the last memo for court on January 8. The bad news: February's work came in, and there's some heavy lifting involved. But we all decided that it will wait until January. Tomorrow is a day of celebration and enjoying each other's company. With pizza.

I also finished wrapping gifts. Now if I could just pack. That will have to wait until the morning. My sis-in-law is planning Christmas dinner, and judging by the guests and the menu, it will be a great day.

I made Kayla walk in the cold weather. It was a short walk because it really was too cold to be enjoyable. Afterwards I gave she and Larry their gifts. Larry liked the Priests CD. Kayla appreciated the humor in my re-gifting the platter I got at the neighborhood get together, and also liked the collection of flute music Tippe (my faithful canine friend) gave her.

Tomorrow will be very busy, but I will finish the day in Pride with the fam.

A More Eventful Sunday

More preparations for the trip south and then west this morning -- washing clothes and wrapping gifts. The afternoon, though, was more eventful.
My friend's mother, Dr. Vicki Parrish, directed a performance of A Christmas Carol in Natchitoches. I got to visit the theatre at my old high school, too, since the performance was at the Treen Auditorium at LSMSA. The play was very entertaining, and brought out the holiday spirit in the entire audience.
After the play, I visited Dan Parrish at he and Vicki's new house. They've been building it for two years, and they are very happy to be living in it. It's a very nice home, and I enjoyed visiting with Dan for about 45 minutes. I really should get over to visit the Parrishes more often considering they live so close to me.

A Dull Saturday

In preparation for my trip to the Ranch in Pride for Christmas, I started washing clothes and packing stuff up today. The task was made easier because there was football on again this Saturday after a brief hiatus last week.
I did go to the Vigil Mass for the Fourth Sunday in Advent. I was the lector, and the first reading was really long. Apparently, God told Nathan he didn't need David to build him a house. Deacon Mike gave the sermon, and he managed to work in a bad Eve joke and a Grinch quote. The gist of his message: Are we ready to say yes to God, as Mary did to the angel Gabriel? The one bad thing about going south for Christmas is that I miss Mass at my home parish.
After Mass, I was hungry, but I didn't want fast food from any of the places in town. I wandered through the market and decided to make some tacos. They were easy to prepare and much better than anything I could have bought.

Congratulations Chris

Chris graduated from Northwestern State today. Kayla and Larry hosted a party at their home, and Sharon, Chris' mom and Kayla's sister, provided the excellent food. The booze was flowing, and everyone was in the holiday spirit. I was recognized by a friend of Ben, with whom I graduated from high school. He knew all 3 three of Ben's brothers, and I enjoyed meeting him [again].

My First Present of the Year!

I had dinner at Rob and Crystal's tonight, which is my usual Thursday night engagement. There was no Office, so we had to watch reruns and football. But the main event was gifts. I came in with packages for 4 y.o. Addi and 10 y.o. Hannah, and they were not happy that they had to get a bath before opening their prizes. I was worried that it would not be worth the wait.
But the girls were not disappointed, and neither were R and C. Addi loved her High School Musical t-shirt, and changed clothes right there. Hannah wanted to play Twister right away. Crystal liked the monogrammed coasters she picked out. Rob liked the Aggie shirt I got him, but he loved the black Barstool Sports t-shirt. So, it was a success. I got an orange fishing shirt, which will come in handy next fall on the float trip. A good night, and the giving was much more fulfilling than the receiving.

Another Rainy Day

It has been raining for three days. It warmed up a little today, but the weatherman says that will change.
I had lunch with a friend from law school who now works at a bank in town. It was good to catch up with Chris.
I discovered the O Antiphons today. These ancient prayers date back to the fourth century and are the basis for the Christmas hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." I found the prayers very moving. There are seven antiphons that are part of vespers, and they begin today with O Sapientia (O Wisdom). They are a good prayers as Advent closes and we prepare for the Christmas Octave.
I am making roast beef poboys for Kayla and Larry tonight. Good warm food for a nasty weather day.

Hello

My name is Matthew Couvillion. I have become Matty to my younger friends and relatives, and by extension their parents. The basics: I'm a lawyer, an LSU fan, and a Catholic.